KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A unique hang-out officially opened in the Argentine neighborhood in south Kansas City on Friday night, created by kids, for kids.
The Snack Shack sits next to the public library on Strong Avenue. It was once an empty building for years until a group of teenagers decided to do something about it.
It’s an after-school spot to blow off some steam, hang out with friends, and grab a snack.
The Snack Shack opened its doors at the end of October, and now it’s packed with kids every day.
Kids can play air hockey, foosball, and video games. The snacks are only a dollar.
“That’s the whole point of Snack Shack,” one of its founders, Elizabeth, said. “We wanted kids to come here after school and be here instead of being home or bored or causing trouble at home.”
Tired of empty storefronts in downtown Argentine, Elizabeth and three of her peers came up with an idea as part of a youth entrepreneurship program, Imagine Argentine. Youthfront is the non-profit that helped the high schoolers put their plan in motion.
Community leaders, parents, and tons of children were there for the ribbon cutting.
"At first, we really didn't even expect all this to happen," said Elizabeth. "We just wanted a small little idea to change something in the community. And we came up with this."
The Snack Shack’s grand opening was two years in the making. The kids raised money, took donations, and used the money to fix up the empty space.
"We had a lot of dedication and we put all the work into it," Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth and her friends work the snack counter after school, learning business skills, and seeing kids in their community have fun.
A sixth-grader named Jordan said he and his friends have gone to the Snack Shack every day since it opened.
“You get to chill with your friends and you get to have free time playing games. And, cheap food!” Jordan said.
Another girl named Keely came with her two friends for the first time on Friday.
Her advice is: “Come here because it’s fun and you get free popcorn.”
It’s a simple concept that makes a big difference.
“You can come up with anything and it can actually happen, so any idea really matters,” Elizabeth said.
The Snack Shack is still accepting donations. It’s open every weekday after school.
